1 – 1 of 1 Work in Enemies to Family
- Enemies to Family ×
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5 times Yuna Hollander thought Ilya Rosanov’s mom should be with him, and one time she and Ilya agreed Winter 2008 Yuna had been listening to Shane talk about this Ilya Rosanov kid for weeks. Every day after hockey practice, he had film review to prep for the World Juniors, and every night at the dinner table, he'd tell his parents about another play he saw by this Russian phenom, his eyes bright. He'd been quieter about hockey after he was named to Canada’s junior international team - Yuna worried maybe it was too much. He's just a kid, sports should still be fun, they shouldn't be this intense yet. But seeing how animated he was explaining to David how he'd replicated a backhand shot of Rosanov's that he'd overheard a scout raving about, Yuna felt confident this was the path her son wanted for himself. She'd support him no matter what. The week ahead of their flight from Ottawa to Regina for the tournament had been a flurry of logistics. She had to make sure Shane packed all of his favorite equipment and clothes and backups of each, even though Team Canada was also providing uniforms and gear when they arrived. Shane was a ball of nervous energy on the plane, but now that they approach the arena, Yuna sees him almost bursting with excitement. His cheeks were flush in the cold, the sun highlighted his freckles, and his smile beamed toward her. He'd been taller than Yuna for a couple years now and was still growing. People treated him like an adult, expected him to make decisions about his future, but to her, he was still her little boy. Yuna stops at the door to the arena as Shane notices someone down the alleyway. "Mom, I think that's Ilya Rosanov - I'm just going to go over and say hi, I'll be right back." She follows her son's line of sight toward the kid in the distance smoking and sighs. She’d heard the Russian delegation sends over all these boys with coaches, but no parents. They'd be better behaved if their mothers were here, she's sure. But she knows Shane is excited to meet the only boy people say might actually be faster than he is. They are going to be in the same draft class, might even play in the NHL together one day if this all continues. Coaches and scouts are already been trying to pit them against one another. But they're both just kids, and it’d be nicer for Shane to have a friend. "Okay, honey, I'll just be inside with the other parents." When Shane finds her again in the bleachers of the arena, he's making the face Yuna knows means he was in his head about something. "How'd it go?" "Oh, uh, fine. He said he was going to beat us." That's all he says, but he looks flatter than he did outside. Deflated, maybe. For Shane’s whole mood to shift, Yuna thinks that kid really must've been an asshole. Well, so much for the plan where they're friends instead of rivals. Summer 2009 Yuna has to be honest: she’s glad her son was the second overall draft pick. First would’ve been exciting, and obviously historic, but she’s overjoyed that Shane went to a Canadian team instead of Boston. She just wishes first hadn’t been Rosanov. He was so cocky, holding up the stupid #1 in photos. As they speak with Shane’s new coach at the after party, she knows she's being too effusive about her love of the Metros, but she's just so relieved it all worked out. She'd been on edge for months with all the anticipation for the draft. Even yesterday, she was up all night trying not to wake David, worried it wasn’t the right choice, letting Shane pursue hockey without going to college first. He could’ve had more time to grow before joining the league, while getting a degree as a backup plan. But all of the experts they’d talked to said with his skill level, this would be the best route, with the most impact on the game and the most benefit for Shane. Shane is so talented, and he loves hockey, and she just wants him to be happy. Yuna excuses herself from the conversation to go to the bathroom. Crossing across the ballroom, she sees Rosanov standing with an intense man in a uniform who must be his father and the Boston Raiders' coach. His mom must’ve not wanted to make the trip from Russia, Yuna thinks to herself. She knows it’s far, but she can’t imagine not being next to Shane for this moment. When she's crossing back toward her family, she notices the Rosanovs again. Ilya looks quieter than he did earlier at the post-draft photo opportunity. And younger, standing next to his father. She watches as a scowl come across his face in response to something his father says, and then sees him glance over to where Shane and David are standing. They must be talking about beating Montreal this season. She hopes Shane beats him for rookie of the year. That’ll show them. Summer 2014 “David, how are you so chill about this? Rosanov looked right at Shane when he held up that MVP trophy. I swear, he smirked. The constant interview chirps are one thing, but openly taunting him in a room filled with basically every player and coach in the league?” Yuna paces across their bedroom, vaguely getting ready for bed but too wired hating Ilya Rosanov to commit to it.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 2,425
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #77213566